Voting machine

ABSTRACT

A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent X when a key is voted.

United States Patent [191 ONeal et al.

[ Feb. 18, 1975 VOTING MACHINE -[75] Inventors: Cothburn M. ONeal,Dallas; Alfred M. Mayo, Richardson, both of Tex.; George William Childs,deceased, late of Dallas, Tex. by Patricia M. Childs, executrix 1 73]Assignee: Riverside Press, lnc., Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: Nov. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 309,174

[52] US. Cl 235/54 A [51] Int. Cl G07c 13/00 [58] Field of Search 235/54A, 54 R, 54 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 941,80111/1909 McElroy 235/54 A 3,524,969 8/1970 ONeal 235/54 R 3,630,43412/1971 ONeal 235/54 R Primary ExaminerStephen J. Tomsky A ttorney, Agent, or Firm Hubbard, Thurman, Tunnen and Tucker [5 7] ABSTRACT Acompact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability foruse with various vote registering devices such as tally counters andpunch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanismhaving a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. Avertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which arealternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceableinterlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limitthe effective length of the tool line to establish groupings ofcandidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at thetop of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from agrouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the toolline, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been madeno addi tional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the toolline. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked toestablished selection groups as typically found on a general electionballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns byintroducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of akey. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter tovote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for anothervoter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operatefour-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judgecontrolled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For variousvoting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable withthe horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lockout partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides areprovided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible,luminescent X when a vkey is voted.

10 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 1 81975 sum mar 14 FIG.

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PATENTEU 3.868826 SHEU 11 0F 14 m mil 0 9 won 2m in 9 Tom 0 NB :m an,vwm Q? J mm 5m 9? Em. mm? m mm? km 0 mm? mmwmma? mom mmm vow vow 9m 1NNN hm own I il EV mom own 5. x w |||||l|\\|l||\|L PATENTEI] FEB I 8i875 SHEET 120F1 1 VOTING MACHINE This invention relates to votingmachines and more particularly is directed to improved voting machinesof the general construction described in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,168,240and 3,524,969.

A large number and variety of mechanical voting machines can be found inthe prior art. Machines most commonly found in use today are of the typeas shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,002 and the patents referred totherein.

These machines are generally referred to as levertype voting machinesand have found general acceptance and are widely used. In levermachines, multiple horizontal or vertical rows of selector levers areinterconnected by cranks or similar mechanisms to counter mechanismswhich register the number ofvotes cast for a particular candidate orissue.

Machines of this general type have a number of disadvantages. One of theforemost disadvantages of the lever-type machines is their extreme sizeand weight, often in excess of 500 pounds. Because of the weight,

a single machine requires the effort of several men to transport themachine from its place of storage to the polls. Further, the large sizerequires an extreme amount of storage space when it is considered that acity of, for example, one million people may own or lease severalthousand voting machines. Transportation and storage of the machinesduring periods of non-use can constitute a major financial burden on agovernmental unit.

Aside from the above-mentioned problems of storage and transportation,the lever-type machines require complex procedures on the part of thecustodian to prepare the machine for voting, particularly when themachine is to be used in primary elections. In primary elections it iscommon that one or more candidates will be selected by the voter from alarger group running for the office and, accordingly, the columns mustbe broken down into subgroups of the correct number of candidates. Thesubgroups are established by various interlock arrangements whichusually require that grouping pins or compensators be inserted in thecolumns to serve as barriers to permit only a selected number of votingkeys to be depressed within the column. This can be a difficultoperation requiring skill and much preparation time on the part ofreelection officials in order to insure proper machine functioning.

Another disadvantage of the lever-type voting machine is that theaccompanying ballot is often confusing and difficult for the voter tounderstand because it does not duplicate the format of the traditionalpaper ballot. This is especially true of machines having horizontalselection rows which require a specialized ballot format to adapt to themachine. It is generally accepted practice for conventional paperballots to display the candidates in a vertical rather than a horizontalarrangement.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple tooperate, console type voting machine of substantially reduced size andweight to facilitate handling and storage. The present invention employsa very efficient, compact selector mechanism using displaceable steelballs arranged in columns which permit lists of candidates for more thanone office to be placed in a single column. Further, the columns can beset so that one or more selections from that list can be made by thevoter. Such an arrangement would by typically used in a primaryelection. The voting machine of the present invention also permitsadjacent vertical columns to be mechanically interlocked so that theselection groups on the ballot can be arranged horizontally as isnecessary in a general election The present invention further hasprovision for straight party, write-in, and random voting proceduresand-insures that the voter cannot disenfranchise himself by casting twoopposing votes. The voting machine of the present invention also makeschain voting impossible. A unique clutch mechanism performs multiplefunctions including a clearing and locking function after each votingcycle and when a straight party selection is made.

The present invention also permits insertion of a computer compatiblecard into the machine on which card is recorded the voters selections.This card may then be processed by computer to expedite computation ofthe election results and minimize decoding and transcription. Themachine adapts to the requirements of almost any election and the ballotcan be arranged in a format familiar to most voters. The buttons are de'pressed and the voted buttons are easily identifiable to the voter by anX appearing at the voted button. In summary, the present inventionprovides a voting machine having improved interlock systems to renderthe machine simple, efficient, lightweight, and yet at the same timehighly versatile and applicable to a variety of voting procedures andadaptable to the various voting laws and requirements in effect in thevarious jurisdictions throughout the country. These and other objects ofthe present invention will become apparent from the following drawingsand descriptions in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voting machine of the presentinvention with a representative ballot in place;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the voting machine with the ballot removed;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are elevational views of a voting key;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of the end of the voting key;

FIG. Sis an enlarged detail view of the voting key and associatedbutton;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the button shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are opposite side elevational views of i the individualvoting machine columns, FIG. 10 being inverted;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along lines lll1 ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the end of the lockout barmechanism;

FIG. 13 is a partial detail view showing a cam arrangement;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a ball housing block and cam;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the ball housing block of FIG.14; 7

FIG. 16 is a partial detail view showing the relationship of a keyoverlying a ball housing block;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a view of the drive assembly as seen from the top end of FIG.2;

FIGS. 20 to 22 are detail views of drive assembly clutches;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along lines 23-23 of FIG. 19 with themechanism shown in a locked position;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 but with the mechanism shown in avoted position;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 19 with thestraight party mechanism in a nonvoted position;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 but with the straight partymechanism in a voted position;

FIG. 27 is a detail view of a part of the straight party mechanism;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a portion of the column assembly as seenalong lines 28-28 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 29 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 30 is a view-similar to FIG. 29 but with the main voting buttonmechanism shown in an alternate position;

FIG. 31 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25-25 ofFIG. 19 with structure removed motor control switch in an actuatedposition;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25-25 ofFIG. 19 with structure removed to more clearly illustrate the actuationof the motor control switch in the straight party cycle;

FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33 showing the switch in an actuatedposition;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart representation of the clear cycle operation; and

FIG. 36 is a flow chart representation of the straight party cycle.

The voting machine is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated by thenumeral 10. The machine would generally be incorporated in anappropriate voting machine cabinet, not shown, when placed in use. Thecabinet would provide for either a vertical or horizontal mounting ofthe mechanism for voter access depending on preference and votingrequirements. The machine generally has a basic frame structurecomprising opposite side members 12 and I3 and opposite end members 14and 15. A top panel 16 is carried by the frame structure and hasprovision for mounting of the ballot 20. The ballot is divided into aseries of eight vertical selection columns identified 18a through 181'.It should be noted, as used throughout this description, the termhorizontal means a plane parallel to ends 14 and of the machine. Theterm vertical refers to a plane parallel to sides 12 and 13.

Ballot is not a typical ballot one would find when voting but rather isa representative ballot to illustrate the operation of the machine. Lefthand columns 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are set up in a format correspondingto that used in most general and some city elections in which severalpolitical parties offer candidates for the same offices as are listed incolumn 18A. As shown, the voter would make a choice for the office ofpresident fromeither columns 18b, 18c, or 18d and, once having voted oneof the selections, is not permitted by the interlock system of thepresent invention to make another selection for that office. Column 18hillustrates a typical primary election ballot wherein one selection ischosen from several candidates to be the particular partys candidate inthe general election. It will be appreciated that any other number ofrows could as well be provided. At the top of each of columns 18b to 18dis a straight party button 21 which, as will be more fully explainedhereafter, when depressed will cause all the voting keys in theassociated vertical column to be depressed, clearing all other buttonson the machine. A slot 25 in the upper right hand of the machine isprovided to accept a data processing card which is punched in responseto the voting operation. A resetting lock 26 is used to lock or releasethe mechanism after each vote is recorded preparing the machine for thenext voter. Lock 28 operates the column lock-outs to lock out ofoperation certain selected columns or partial columns. The key for lock26 and 28 are retained by the election judge or official on duty at theelection location. When the voter has completed making selections, mainvote button 44 initiates the machine through its operative cycle. A tray31) accessible through front 15 contains the tally counters and a publiccounter. One tally counter is provided to correspond to each of thevoting buttons on the machine. For a more complete description andunderstanding of the operation of the candidate counters and the cardinsert and card punching mechanism, please refer to commonly assignedco-pending application entitled Punch Assembly and Method of Making SameU.S. Ser. No. 309,192, and commonly assigned US. patent number3,82l,'522, granted June 28, 1974, entitled Counter," both filedconcurrently herewith.

FIG. 2 illustrates a machine of the present invention with the ballot 20and cover plate 16 removed to ex pose the basic components of themachine. The rectangularly arranged frame members 12, 13, 14, and 15support eight vertical column members 31 through 38. Each of the columns31 to 38 are similar in construction and each is generally elongate andprovided with a vertical row of slots 39 therein which slidably receivethe end key slides 40. Slot 146 access to a cam device for setting upvertical selection subcolumns. The details of the key slides are shownin FIGS. 3 through 6 and are discussed in the following paragraphs. Thepurpose of the present brief description is to outline the interactionof the main components so that the operation of the voting machine willbe more easily understood. To make a selection, key slides 40 aremanually depressable through a voting button 23 extending through thepanel 16 and ballot 20. Tray 30 containing the tally counters ishorizontally positioned subjacent columns 31 to 38 and depression of akey slide 41) will engage a corresponding counter in the tray 30 throughplunger 54 at the terminal end of slide 40. The counters may be of thewell known star wheel type or similar to those disclosed in theco-pending application referenced above.

Also operatively engaging each of the key slides is a rod 48 whichextends transversely of the columns and is received in punch bankselector 42. Rods 48 are horizontally displaced to the right byactuation of the corresponding key slide by cam surfaces 55 on theslides 40. Rightward movement of a transverse bar 48 into the punch bankselector 42 will block a corresponding punch selector bar 49 so thatupon actuation of the voting cycle by main voting button 44, the cardinserted in slot 25 of card punching mechanism 43 will be perforated ina pattern corresponding to the voters choice. Clearing of the machineand actuation of the striaght party cycle is by virtue of the multipleclutch drive mechanism 50 shown at the upper portion of the ma-.

chine. An electric motor 45 powers the mechanism through the clearingand straight party cycles as will be explained. Provision can beincluded for manually driving the machine by a crank in case of a powerfailure.

The foregoing is just a brief description of the various main componentsto the machine so that their relative location and interrelationship maybe appreciated. The operation and mechanism of the counter assembly andthe punch mechanism form no part of the present invention but rather arethe subject of the separate aforementioned patent applications. Thepresent invention concerns itself with the voter selection mechanism andmore particularly with the interlock arrangement for setting up andlimiting voting selections and the clutchdrive mechanism for clearingthe machine and for voting a straight party ticket.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, the voting key slide 40 is shown indetail. The key slide 40 comprises an essential part of the machinewhich is operative to register the voters selections. Key 40 extendslaterally in slots 39 in each of the columns and each is manuallydepressable through button 23 by the voter. Each key 40 includes anupper generally rectangular shank portion 52 and a lower extension 51having opposite sides 77 and 78. Opposite transverse slots 65 and 66extend across the intermediate portion of the key 40. Angular camsurfaces 55 are provided on one edge of the key. The cam surface 55 oneach slide is associated with the end of transverse punch actuator bars48. The longitudinal position of cam surfaces 55 along extension 51varies with the column in which the key slide 40 is located. Forexample, cam surfaces 55 on the key slides located in column 38 areimmediately adjacent the shank 52 and the location of the correspondingcam surfaces 5 is displaced downwardly for the slides in each leftwardlysuccessive row. In this way, all rods 48 that are associated with thekeys in'a horizontal row of key slides are in vertical alignment beneaththe columns. The rods 48 are configured to avoid interference with theadjacent key slides.

Inward of the lower end of the key 40 a shoulder 59 projects laterally.Shoulder 59 is adapted to be engaged by a clear bar of the drivemechanism 50 to return the key to a non-actuated position. Extendingfrom the op posite side of the key is projection 58 which is adapted tobe engaged by a bar in drive 50 to pull the associated key 40 downwardlywhen a straight party button 21 is actuated on the machine. The clearand straight party mechanism is actuated by drive mechanism 50, as willlater be explained.

An important feature of this invention is the vertical interlockarrangement which limits the number of voting buttons a voter candepress within a column by blocking the remaining slides when thepredetermined number of selections has been made. The vertical interlockis achieved by camming accurate steel balls in a tool line extendingthrough the columns along a cam surface on the keys 40. Each key isprovided with cam means 56 including adjacent circular bores 67 and 68extending through the shank of the key slide. A semicircular cammingsurface 69 extends approximately at a angle from the edge of hole 67 atsurface 77 toward the edge of bore 68 at surface 78. Axial slot 70extends between bores 68 and 69 through the intermediate cam surface 69.

The vertical interlock mechanism permits the election official to set upthe machine in vertical selection column as, for example, would benecessary in a primary election. Other elections may require that themachine be programmed horizontally as in a general election.Accordingly, an important feature of the present invention includesmeans to selectively interlock adjacent horizontal keys to define aselection group and so that only one key can be voted within the group.As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cam 79 is provided on the upper end ofthe slide 40 in opposite sides which cooperate with horizontal lockingpins to prevent actuation of more than one key within a group. The cammeans include bore 71 that extends transversely through the shankportion 52 of the slide 40. Cam 79 includes generally V-shaped surfaces72 and 73 which intersect bore 71 at the longitudinal centerline of theshank portion. As best seen in FIG. 7, surfaces 72 and 73 divergeoutwardly to oppositely arranged lands 74 and 75, respectively, whichare all commonly defined within recess 76 in the opposite edges of thekey 40.

FIGS. 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 best show the relationship of the slides 40in the columns. Keys 40 are all received in adjacent vertical columns 31to 38 aligned vertically and horizontally. Each column contains aselected number of keys. The following description is with reference tocolumn 33 which is typical. Column 33 is a generally elongatedrectangular section and has an aligned series of slots 82 whichreceive-the main body portion of keys 40. Enlarged slots 39 aligned withslots 82 extend to the surface of the column. A shoulder 84 at thebottom end of each slot 29 serves as a stop to engage outwardlyextending flange portion 60 ofthe associated key. Thus, looking at FIG.11, which is a sectional view through a portion of adjacent columns, key40 is shown in a normal unactuated position; when actuated it will bemoved inwardly until flange 60 contacts shoulder 84 at the bottom ofbore 39. An over center toggle pin, not shown, may be associated witheach key slide 40 to give the key a positive action. Transverse bore 85,approximately corresponding in diameter to the cross bore 71 in theshank portion of key slide 40, intersects column slot 82 and terminatesin rectangular slot 86 which extends longitudinally in column 33.Horizontal interlock bar 90 is slidable in slot 86. Another longitudinalchannel 91 extends the length of column 33 perpendicular to the axis ofkey slide 40 and intercepts slot 82 and houses vertical interlock ballhousing blocks 110 which, as will be described later, are interposedbetween and cooperate with vertically adjacent keys 40 in the verticalinterlock mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 11, a pair of plungers 92 and 93 in the form of pinshaving rounded ends are positioned in cross bore 85. The pins aredimensioned so that pin 92 extends from the center line of the plungerat the apex of the cam surfaces 72 and 73 to the edge 89 of the column33 next adjacent column 34. Similarly, plunger 93 extends leftwardlyfrom the center line of slide 40. Column 32 next abuts column 33 at edge88 having bore a in direct alignment with slot 86 of column 33.Similarly, at side 89, adjacent column 34 has its interlock bar b indirect aligment with bore 85 of column 33. The subscripts a, b, etc.,here and throughout the specification, designate identical or similarelements.

Interlock bar 90 extends the vertical length of column 33 in slot 86. Anumber of cross bores 95 are provided in bar 90 and are spaced so thatthe distance be- 7 tween bores 95 is half the distance between adjacentvertical cross bores 85 in the columns. Every other bore 95 houses acompression spring 96 forming a socket 97. A slidable plunger 94 extendsin bores 95 not housing a spring.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the interlock bar 90 is verticallyshiftable relative to the associated column to move either a plunger 94or a spring socket 97 in axial alignment with column cross bores 85. Anactuating handle 100 is connected to the lower end of bar 90 andprojects into recess 101 in the column. Manually moving actuator handle100 will displace bar 90 to position the bar in accordance with theelection requirements.

It will thus be understood, referring to FIG. 11, that as key 40 isdepressed in response to a voter operation, the cam surface 79 will beurged between adjacent plungers 92 and 93 parting them in oppositedirections. If it is desired to horizontally interlock adjacent verticalcolumns, as for example when the machine is set up as shown in ballotcolumns 18b, 18c and 18d of figures, actuator 100 in column 33 is movedto position interlock bar 90 to align plungers 94 in the bar with bores85 of the column. The interlock bars in columns 32 and 34 are similarlypositioned. For example, when a key 40 in column 33 is depressed,associated plunger 93 will move leftwardly urging adjacent plunger 94 inbar 90 leftwardly into engagement with pin 92a located in the adjacentcolumn. Pin 92a in adjacent column 32 will be moved into blockingengagement beneath the apex of associated cam 79a of the key slide inthat column.

Column 34 located immediately adjacent side 89 of column 33 has beenpreset having its interlock bar 90b positioned with spring sockets 97bin axial alignment with cross bores 84 of column 33. Upon depression ofa key slide 40 in column 33, pin 92 will simply move into engagement insocket 97b causing spring 96b to be depressed. The axial motion ofplunger 92 will not be transferred across interlock bar 90b to preventthe actuation of the key slides in column 34. Therefore, looking at anarrangement of FIG. 1, it will be seen that by selectively positioninginterlock bar 90, horizontal listings of candidates may be made and theselection limited to one candidate from the preselected row or groupacross the columns. The interlock bar between adjacent columns can bepositioned to either interlocking or isolate the columns, as the casemay be. An entire or partial horizontal row of key slides 40 may belocked out by virtue of cams 102 as seen in FIG. 13. Cams 102 arerotatively mounted on cam shafts 103 immediately adjacent column 38.Each cam aligns with cross bore 851' in that column. To lock out ahorizontal row of keys, associated cam 102 is rotated into engagementwith pin 921' to move the horizontal interlock pins 92 in each columninto blocking engagement with the keys 40. A partial horizontal row canbe locked out by interrupting the movement of pins 92 by movinginterlock bar 90 to align spring sockets 97 with the pins 92. Thehorizontal lock is particularly useful in accommodating more unusualelection requirements. The operation of cam shaft 103 is controlled bythe election judge.

The present invention also has provision for selectively interlockingthe voter selections in a vertical column and for establishingsubcolumns or groups. As seen in FIG. 9, a series of ball housing blocks110 are received in channel 91 and form part ofa vertical interlocksystem that limits the selections that can be made in a column. Blocksare alternately interposed between adjacent key slides 40. Theconstruction of the individual ball housing110 is best seen in FIGS. 14and 15.

Each block 110 consists of main body portion 111 which is generallyrectangular having flanged portions 112 and 113 extending at rightangles from top surface 114 and bottom surface 116, respectively.Flanges 1 12 and 113 are each of a depth approximately one-half of thewidth of the keys 40. A slot 115 extends along one side of the block toreceive a correspoding transverse flange in column channel 91 to serveas a guide for lateral adjustment of blocks 110. Projecting from theback of block 110 are legs 118, 119, and 121. A U-shaped opening 122 isdefined between upper legs 118 and 121) and a similar opening 123 isdefined between legs 119 and 121. Transverse slots 124 and 125 extend inthe opposite sides of the block between the upper and lower legs.

Biasing spring 128 extends from thecenter of the front face 129 of theblock. A bore 130 vertically extends between top side 114 and bottom 116of the block. Spaced from bore 130 is a socket or blind bore 131. Bore130 and blind bore 131 are of the same diameter. Socket 131 houses abiasing spring 134 which is compressible to accept a single interlockball. Parallel guide members 132 and 133 at one edge of surface 114 arerespectively aligned with the center of bores 130 and 131. At the otheredge adjacent the bores 130 and 131, keeper members 135 and 136 arebiased outwardly by virtue of a spring, not seen, acting within areceiving bore in the block. Keepers 135 and 136 serve to maintainalignment in the row of interlock balls as will be more fullyappreciated.

Slots 124 and 125 at the end of cam housing block 110 receive cam-member140 which carries cam 142. Eccentric actuator shaft 144 adapts the camfor manual actuation. As seen in FIG. 11, cam 140 is positioned withshaft 144 supported in slot 124 and 125 so that cam member 142 abutsblock end 147. Shaft 144 extends parallel to the keys 40 in holes 146 ineach of the columns. Cam 140 is adjustable by insertion of a tool intohole 146 to rotate the cam through shaft 144.

Ball housing blocks 110 are sequentially arranged and oriented in thecolumns so that face 114 of a block 1111 abuts surface 77 of a key slide40 and opposite surface 78 engages the surface 116 of the next adjacentblock 110 with the longitudinal axis of slide 40 transverse to block110. Spring 128 extending from the ball housing blocks engages side wall89 of the next column to bias the blocks into channel 105. Thus, it willbe observed that block 110 can laterally be displaced by rotation ofshaft 144, causing cam 142 to bear against surface 147 moving the blockagainst the force of biasing spring 128.

In the normal position, blocks 110 are oriented with hole 67 of keyslide 40 in line with bore 130 of the cam blocks 110. Projection 133 onthe side 114 ofthe adja cent ball housing block 100 aligns with slot 70on the surface 77 of the key slide 40. Thus, in the assembled position,there is a pattern as disclosed in FIGS. 16 to 18 with a continuouscolumn or tool line 150 assembled with identical steel balls 151extending vertically through the column. The outer hole 68 in each keyslide 40 also contains a steel ball 152 identical to balls 151 containedwithin the tool line 150.

By laterally displacing a cam block 110 relative to the associated key40, a column can be divided into several subcolumns. As is the case inmany primary elections, a single candidate is to be selected from anumber of primary candidates. One voting key slide 40 would beassociated with each of the candidates for the particular office. Asubcolumn would be indexed by moving the cam block 110 adjacent the keysdefining the group in the subcolumn to a blocking position relative tothe associated key slide 40. For example, looking at FIGS. 17 and 18,upper and lower blocks 110 and 1106 have been moved to separate asubcolumn of candidates for a particular office. To accomplish this, camshaft 144 was rotated 180 by an appropriate tool causing cam member 142to bear against surface 147 of the cam block and urge the block againstthe bias of spring 128 to the position relative to the respective keysshown in FIG. 18. In this blocking position, socket 130 of ball housingblock 110 and 1100 now align with tool line 150. This establishes athree candidate subgroup with a voter being able to select one of thethree keys 40, 40a and 40b.

To understand what occurs when a key in a subcolumn is voted, assumethat the voter has made a selection on the voting machine causing keyslide 40b to be depressed. As the key slide 40b is moved inwardly, ball151b in hole 67b of key slide 40b will be forced or cammed upwardly bycam 56b into bore 130a of the next upper adjacent ball housing block110a. When the key 40b is fully depressed ball 152b will have beenintroduced into the tool line 150 causing the tool line to advanceupwardly by one ball diameter against the action of spring 134 in socket131 in the upper terminal ball housing block 110. Spring 134 in theterminal ball housing block will not allow the tool line to advance morethan one diameter into the socket 131, so that it is impossible for morethan one additional ball to be introduced into the tool line. Ball l52bin bore 68b of the key slide will now occupy a position in the toolline. Should the voter attempt to actuate another key slide, suchactuation will be resisted as there is not room in the tool line for anyadditional balls, hence only one key can be moved in each series orsubcolumn.

If it is desired to vote for more than one candidate out of a series, asfor example in an election for city council, the upper end of thecolumns are used to index a subcolumn. Referring to FIG. 9, a receiverassembly 160 is provided to permit multiple selections to be made. Anumber of adjacent ball housing blocks corresponding to the number ofcandidates are positioned having their bores 67 in alignment so that acontinuous column of balls extends in the tool line. Receiver passageway161 aligns with bores 67. A guide passageway 162 extends in the columnparallel to the receiver passageway. A slider 164 has a tubular stop 165in passage 161 and tubular guide member 166 in passage 162. Web 166interconnects the tubular members. The inner end of stop 165 engages theuppermost ball in tool line 150. Slider 164 is spring biased by spring170. Adjusting pin 168 abuts the upper end of slide 164. Pin 169 isinserted into vertically spaced grouping holes 168. By verticallyadjusting the position of pin 168, the effective length of the tool linecan be changed so that a predetermined number of balls can be introducedinto the tool line. For example, if it is desired that three candidatesbe selected from the series, pin 168 is moved upwardly a correspondingnumber of grouping holes 169 to permit slider 164 to be displacedupwardly to admit three additional balls 151 into tool line 150. Asexplained above, each time the voter depresses the voting key, theaction of the associated cam surface 56 will cause an additional ball tobe moved into the tool line. When three candidates have been voted, 21continuous column of balls will be formed in the tool line extendingbetween the lower terminal ball housing block and slider 164 of thereceiver 160. No additional selector keys can be depressed as they willbe opposed by a solid chain of balls. It will be noted that thearrangement of the present invention has several advantages in that if avoter changes his mind he may simply pull the voting key out of itsoriginal position which will effectively remove one ball from the toolline thus permitting another selection to be made. Similarly, since theactuation of any one key in the series does not block the tool line atthat position, the selections do not have to be made in any order. Thatis, the voter does not or is not required to vote for a number ofcandidates in as cending or descending order as was necessary withcertain prior art types of vertical interlocks.

Clutch drive system 50 of the voting machine controls the registeringoperation of the machine and clears or depresses predetermined votingkeys in accordance with the operational mode Functionally, the drivesystem cooperates with the keys in the individual voting columns toperform the following functional operations:

(l) Prevents actuation of the main voting button until at least one keyin any of the columns has been depressed;

(2) Automatically depresses all the keys under a party heading if thevoter selects a straight party ticket;

(3) Clears all previously depressed selector keys when a straight partybutton is actuated;

(4) Automatically locks all voting keys and all remaining straight partybuttons during a straight party voting cycle;

(5) Clears all voting keys on the machine and restores them to an upposition at the completion of the voting cycle;

(6) Automatically locks out all voting keys in the machine after thecompletion of each voting cycle;

(7) Provides a key controlled lock to be operated by the election judgeto release all buttons to prepare the machine for the next voter; and

(8) Permits selected columns or partial columns to be completely lockedout by the election judge in accordance with the requirements of theparticular ballot.

The mechanism of the main drive system 50 will best be understood byunderstanding operational sequence of events that occur in the votingcycle. When inactive, before the beginning of an operational votingcycle, the voting machine is in a locked condition which does not permitoperation by a voter until the machine is placed in a ready condition byan appropriate election official or judge outside the voting booth.

All the voting keys are locked in an up position by means of the clearmechanism, a bar which extends the full length of each vertical columnand engages each of the voting keys. The clear bar, as will be explainedin more detail hereafter, is actuated by a clutch mecha-

1. A mechanical interlock for limiting the number of selectionspermissible in a voting machine having a plurality of aligned moveablevoting keys, said interlock comprising: cam block means interposedbetween adjacent voting keys having a through passage and a blindreceiving bore therein, said block means being moveable between a firstand second position relative to said voting keys; said keys having firstand second bores therethrough whereby said first bores and said blockmeans in said first position define an aligned passageway and saidsecond bores carry displacement balls therein; shiftable ball meansforming an aligned column of balls in said passageway; and cam meansassociated with each of said keys at said first and second bores,whereby movement of said cam block means to said second positionestablishes a selection group with said receiving boRe at one limit andwhereby actuation of a predetermined number of said keys to said secondposition in said group will displace said column of balls apredetermined distance toward said receiving bore by introducing one ofsaid displacement balls therein for each key actuated, thereby blockingactuation of additional keys when said receiving bore is fully occupiedby displaced balls.
 2. A voting machine comprising: a frame member; aplurality of voting keys slidably mounted on said frame moveable from afirst unvoted position to a second voted position, said keys each havinga plurality of through bores therein and cam means associated at saidbores, one of said through bores having a displacement ball therein; camblock means interposed between adjacent keys, said block means having athrough bore and an adjacent receiving bore, said cam block means beingcam shiftable from a first position wherein said through bore alignswith another of the through bores in said keys in said first positiondefining a continuous passageway to a second blocking position, saidsecond cam block position adapted to define the limits of a selectiongroup by placing said receiving bore in alignment with said passagewayat one limit and placing a blocking surface in said passageway at saidother surface; and shiftable interlock ball means in said continuouspassageway and associated with said key cam and said block means throughbore, whereby moving one of said voting keys to said second positionwill cam one of said displacement balls into said passageway therebyfilling said passageway after a predetermined number of displacementballs have been introduced and blocking actuation of additional keys. 3.A voting machine comprising: a generally elongate column; a plurality ofaligned voting keys slidably mounted in said column laterally moveablerelative to said column from a first unvoted position to a second votedposition, said keys each having at least two bores therein, and cammeans and displacement ball means associated at said bores; block meansinterposed between adjacent keys, said block means having a through boreand being shiftable from a first position wherein said through borealigns with one of the bores in said keys to form a passageway to asecond position wherein said block means intercept said passageway;shiftable interlock ball means in said one bore and associated with saidcam and said block means through bore, whereby said keys and block meansdefine a continuous ball column in said first positions; and means forestablishing a subcolumn in which a preselected number of keys may bevoted, said means including eccentric shaft means and cam means forshifting a pre-selected part of said block means to said second positionto intercept said ball column at a predetermined location to establishone limit of the subcolumn, and receiving means located at the otherlimit adapted to accept a predetermined number of balls, whereby movingeach of said keys to said voted position will move the other of saidbores and said displacement ball means into said passageway, displacingsaid ball column toward said ball receiving means, thereby allowing saidkeys to be moved to the voted position in any order and preventingactuation of additional voting keys when said predetermined number ofballs have been caused to move into said ball receiving means.
 4. Thevoting machine of claim 3 wherein said ball receiving means compriseblock means having a blind receiving bore adapted to receive apredetermined number of balls in said second position.
 5. The votingmachine of claim 3 wherein said ball receiving means comprise a magazinealigned with said ball column.
 6. The voting machine of claim 5 whereinsaid magazine is provided with adjustable stop means for preselectingthe number of balls that can be received therein.
 7. A selection machinecomprising: an elongate selection column, selector keys eAch havingslide means associated therewith and movable relative to said columnfrom a first neutral position to a second selection registeringposition, said slide means having at least a first bore and a secondbore therethrough and a cam surface between said first bore and saidsecond bore, said second bore carrying a displacement ball, block meanspositioned alternately between adjacent selector keys, said block meanshaving a hole therethrough and a socket adjacent said hole, said blockmeans being shiftable relative to said slide means to a first positionwherein said block holes and said first bore of said slide means alignto make a continuous passage when said slide means is in said firstneutral position, and a plurality of balls smoothly fitting in saidcontinuous passage in stacked contact therein to form a column of balls,whereby actuation of said slide means to said second position shiftssaid second bore carrying said displacement ball into alignment withsaid continuous passage thereby displacing the column of balls toregister a selection occurrence.
 8. The selection machine of claim 7wherein one of said plurality of balls is carried by said first borewhen said slide means is in said first neutral position, and whereinactuation of said slide means to said second position moves said oneball out of said first bore by said cam surface to a position adjacentsaid displacement ball in said continuous passage.
 9. A voting machinecomprising: an elongate selection column; a plurality of aligned votingkeys slidably mounted in said column each having first and second borestherethrough and cam means associated with said first and second bores,said keys being moveable from a first unvoted position wherein saidfirst bores are aligned to form a continuous passageway, to a secondvoted position wherein said second bores are moved into said continuouspassageway; a plurality of interlock balls positioned adjacent eachother to form a ball column in said continuous passageway; blockingmeans for restricting movement of said ball column in said continuouspassageway including means for interrupting one end of said passagewayand means for receiving a predetermined number of said interlock ballsat the other end of said passageway; a plurality of displacement ballseach carried in one of said second bores adjacent said column of balls,whereby movement of each of a predetermined number of said voting keysin any order to said voted position will introduce into said ball columnthe corresponding displacement ball carried in the second bore of saidkey, thereby displacing said ball column into said receiving means andblocking actuation of additional voting keys after said predeterminednumber of keys have been moved to the voted position.
 10. The votingmachine of claim 9 wherein said cam means comprises a ramp between saidfirst bore and said second bore for displacing said ball column intosaid receiving means thereby allowing said displacement ball to be movedinto said ball column as said key is moved into said voted position.